07/02/2026
I read something the other day that really made me stop and think. They say around 80% of private fitness studios don't make it past their first two years. Whether that number is exact or not, it made me reflect on our own journey.
Here we are, over four years later, and all I can think is how faithful God has been. Four years ago I was laid off from my job. Before I ever updated my resume, I went into prayer and fasting and asked God what He wanted me to do next. During that time, He reminded me of a dream I hadn't really thought about in years to own my own gym.
From there, the planning began. We had so many people praying for us from the very beginning. In fact, the name Red Lion came from a prophetic prayer. (Trust me, I had some stinkers before that.) The funny thing is, on paper, none of this made sense. I wasn't working at another gym. I had no connections in the Texas fitness industry, no clients, no book of business, and honestly, I wasn't even training consistently myself at the time.
We had invested in our first location in Spring, but after setback after setback, we walked away and started over in Tomball. We weren't opening a recognizable brand, we were introducing something completely new to the community. But we knew who we wanted to be and what we wanted Red Lion Fitness to represent.
My wife had a great job that gave us the opportunity to take this leap of faith. Then we officially opened our doors in Tomball in January 2024. That same month, my wife was laid off... while she was five months pregnant. I remember feeling like the weight of the world was sitting on my chest, and I couldn't bench press my way out of it.
Through every setback, every slow season, and every moment of wondering how we'd make it, God has been faithful. Not always how I expected, but always right on time. Looking back, I don't think this story is really about opening a gym. It's about obedience. Sometimes God doesn't show you the whole picture. He simply asks you to trust Him with the next step.
If God gave me unlimited money tomorrow and told me I could spend the rest of my days doing whatever I wanted, I'd still be doing this. Because this isn't just about fitness, it's about people. I love seeing someone regain confidence, walking with people through trials, encouraging their faith, and helping them become stronger inside and out.
That's why this card means so much to me. This client had to move away and continue their training virtually. In her card, she wrote that I had impacted her on a soul level, not just physically. I honestly don't know if there's a greater compliment than that.
That's what I've always wanted Red Lion Fitness to be. Not just a place that changes bodies, but a place that points people toward hope, encourages them, and leaves them better than when they first walked through the door.
To everyone who has trained with us, supported us, prayed for us, or believed in this mission, thank you. You're part of this story too.
Most of all, thank You Jesus.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." — Psalm 127:1
